THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 
S« 
accurately reprefented; for, after Mr. Anderfon’s death, we 1778. 
had few who took much pains about fuch matters ; and I r _°- ob -^ ; 
have frequently found, that the fame words written down 
by two or more perfons, from the mouth of the fame na¬ 
tive, on being compared together, differed not a little. But 
Hill, enough is certain, to warrant this judgment, that there 
is great reafon to believe, that all thefe nations are of the 
fame extraction; and if fo, there can be little doubt of 
there being a Northern communication of fome fort, by 
fea, between this Weft fide of America and the Eaft fide, 
through Baffin’s Bay; which communication, however, 
may be effectually fhut up againft fhips, by ice, and other 
impediments. Such, at leaft, was my opinion at this 
time. 
I lhall now quit thefe Northern regions, with a few par¬ 
ticulars relative to the tides and currents upon the coaft, and 
an account of the aftronomical obfervations made by us in 
Samganoodha Harbour. 
The tide is no where confiderable but in the great, 
river 
The flood comes from the South or South Eaft, every 
where following the direction of the coaft to the North Weft- 
ward. Between Norton Sound and Cape Prince of Wales, 
we found a current fetting to the North Weft, particularly 
off the Cape, and within Sledge Iftand. But this current 
extended only a little way from the coaft; nor was it either 
confiftent or uniform. To the North of Cape Prince of 
Wales, we found neither tide nor current, either on the 
American or on the Afiatic coaft, though feveral times 
looked for. This gave rife to an opinion entertained by 
fome on board our fhips, that the two coafts were con- 
* Cook’s River. 
VOL. II. 3 X nested. 
